Olympic Council of Asia has rejected participation of Indian karate team in the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea even after a request by the IOA, which in fact had selected the players due to infighting between two factions of the national federation.

IOA had constituted a three-member committee to conduct selection trials for karate players to take part in the Incheon Asian Games and sent their entries to the OCA which, had rejected the list without giving any reason.

“There was a fight between two karate federations each claiming to be the real NSF to run the sport. Taking into consideration that the players should not suffer, the IOA formed a committee to select the players for the Asian Games,” IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta told PTI.

“On August 22, the IOA requested Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee to accept the entries of karate players. They turned down our request without giving any reason,” he said.

He said a three-member committee of Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Vats and Dhanraj Chowdhury selected the karate players in a selection trial held in New Delhi on August 18 and 19 but now there was no chance of their participation in the September 19 to October 4 Asian Games.

“The organisations claiming to be genuine national bodies for sports of karate were requested to participate in the selection trial. The IOA committee conducted selection trials on August 18 and 19 at Railway Wrestling Academy, Kishanganj, Delhi and selected following players, including two women.

“Now they are not taking part in Asian Games. We have tried our bit for them by requesting the OCA. The deadline for sending entries is also over on August 15. OCA is not going to consider it again,” Mehta added.

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